Old 2 stroke or new 4 stroke

Lordy · 10 January 2008, 17:48

I'm about to buy a 4.3m Excel inflatable and have found a second-hand Mariner 25hp 2 stroke that looks ideal. It is registered in 2001 and is about half the price of a new Mariner 4 stroke.

I'm sure I've read, however, that the new 4 strokes are alot lighter and even have fuel injection, so run very smoothly.

Anyone got any views on buying second-hand vs. new, particularly as I'm a newbie?

Thanks!!

Pete7 · 10 January 2008, 17:54

Lordy, I would go over to Excel and quiz the dealers at the boatshow thats on now. Might be worth trying to play them off each other too and if not then go for the second hand one.

Btw the Mariner 25s seem to weight about the same as an old 2 stroke 40 hp mariner.

Pete

Nos4r2 · 10 January 2008, 17:59

The difference between the two buys a lot of fuel. Personally considering the time of year I'd put a silly offer on the 2-stroke.
If you decide to trade up then you'll be able to split the package and lose less in depreciation too.

Pete7 makes a good point above!

codprawn · 10 January 2008, 18:01

4 strokes may be lighter than they used to be but they still can't match a 2 stroke!!!

matt h · 10 January 2008, 18:18

2 Stroke, the way to go,

PeterR · 10 January 2008, 18:38

The main thing that would sway which way i would go is .How long will you be wanting to go out for or what distance will you get out of the fuel you can carry.With each engine.If you plan to use for just several hours for fishing and watersports close to shore and car then two stroke,But if say you plan to go away and used it for days out island hoping then four stroke.Also if like my wife( she cant stand the fumes of older two strokes)this also should be considered.

Andy Moore · 10 January 2008, 18:46

2-strokes sound 'the business'. They put a grin on your face.

Take a look at one of the new breed of 2-strokes, for example, a Mercury Optimax.

Having said that, a supercharged Mercury Verado would be my current weapon of choice.

Lordy · 10 January 2008, 19:11

Thanks all - what an EXCELLENT forum this is - it's the 2 stroke then!!!

Nos4r2 · 10 January 2008, 19:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Moore

2-strokes sound 'the business'. They put a grin on your face.

Take a look at one of the new breed of 2-strokes, for example, a Mercury Optimax.

Having said that, a supercharged Mercury Verado would be my current weapon of choice.

Unfortunately neither are available in 25hp.

Andy Moore · 10 January 2008, 19:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Unfortunately neither are available in 25hp.

Didn't think of that. Sorry.

codprawn · 10 January 2008, 20:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Unfortunately neither are available in 25hp.

Imagine a 25hp Verado - it would be great - same weight as a 2 stroke - oh and a 4 stroke as well..............

PacificNWrib · 10 January 2008, 20:28

Do you think 25HP will be enough for that 4.3? I know it all depends on what you do, but I would go for more power. Once you get a few people in there, you will want the extra umpf!

I have been more than happy with a 50hp on the back of my 4.3. Makes cutting through waves a lot easier. No problems getting up on a plane. Even with 3 men in the RIB, with gear, gas, and a 50lb. sturgeon.

Of course you will go through a little more gas, but it is worth it. I could not see going to a small motor.

Locozodiac · 10 January 2008, 20:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lordy

I'm about to buy a 4.3m Excel inflatable and have found a second-hand Mariner 25hp 2 stroke that looks ideal. It is registered in 2001 and is about half the price of a new Mariner 4 stroke.

I'm sure I've read, however, that the new 4 strokes are alot lighter and even have fuel injection, so run very smoothly.

Anyone got any views on buying second-hand vs. new, particularly as I'm a newbie?

Thanks!!

Hola, you got the weights wrong a Mercury/Mariner 2 stroke 25/30 HP weights 52 KG, the same 4 stroke 25/30 weights 71.5 (New Models). The good thing is that you can update a 25 HP engine to 30 HP with little investment as both 2 stroke models have 530 cc. Personally would go for the 25 HP and have it updated to 30 HP that's ideal for your lenght boat/max engine 30 HP, a perfect match.

Welcome to the nautic world.
Happy Boating

Lordy · 11 January 2008, 11:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by PacificNWrib

Do you think 25HP will be enough for that 4.3? I know it all depends on what you do, but I would go for more power. Once you get a few people in there, you will want the extra umpf!

I have been more than happy with a 50hp on the back of my 4.3. Makes cutting through waves a lot easier. No problems getting up on a plane. Even with 3 men in the RIB, with gear, gas, and a 50lb. sturgeon.

Of course you will go through a little more gas, but it is worth it. I could not see going to a small motor.

Is yours a SIB or a RIB? A SIB will be alot lighter and so need less HP. And I assume you must have console steering?

I'm looking for something I can tiller-steer - to keep more room in the boat for family of 5- and am reliably informed by fellow RIBNETTERS that anything over 30hp would be unmanageable as a tiller.

I've not been able to 'test drive' anything, which is really frustrating, so am relying on the advice I get on this forum.

So, hopefully a 25/30hp on the back of a 4.3m SIB will be enough to pull a small kid (age 10/12) on a kneeboard, once I've dropped the rest of the family off on the beach. OR WILL IT??!!

Nick Hearne · 11 January 2008, 11:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lordy

Is yours a SIB or a RIB? A SIB will be alot lighter and so need less HP. And I assume you must have console steering?

I'm looking for something I can tiller-steer - to keep more room in the boat for family of 5- and am reliably informed by fellow RIBNETTERS that anything over 30hp would be unmanageable as a tiller.
I have tiller-steered a 40hp no problem, but keep it smaller if the wife & kids will be using it!
I've not been able to 'test drive' anything, which is really frustrating, so am relying on the advice I get on this forum.

So, hopefully a 25/30hp on the back of a 4.3m SIB will be enough to pull a small kid (age 10/12) on a kneeboard, once I've dropped the rest of the family off on the beach. OR WILL IT??!!
Yep will be OK with a 25hp!

My brother in law has a 3.8 with a 25hp on it & his wife & kids all prefer my set up with a 15hp as it is much lighter!

Lordy · 11 January 2008, 11:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

My brother in law has a 3.8 with a 25hp on it & his wife & kids all prefer my set up with a 15hp as it is much lighter!

Phew - thanks Nick - doubt was starting to set in!!

Pete7 · 11 January 2008, 11:22

Are you planning to assemble this on the beach and then take it all apart at the end of the day? thats quite time consuming, or could a small trailer be an option. If a light weight trailer is an option then how about a second hand zapcat? blindingly quick (if you want) and huge space amount and bouyancy for a family. Think they have a damper on the 50 hp to calm the steering down a bit. This is also a less well know Ceasar Thundercat. Worth a thought and bet thats put the cat amongst the pidgeons

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F150514

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/LSD091

Pete

Lordy · 11 January 2008, 11:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

Are you planning to assemble this on the beach and then take it all apart at the end of the day? thats quite time consuming, or could a small trailer be an option. If a light weight trailer is an option then how about a second hand zapcat? blindingly quick (if you want) and huge space amount and bouyancy for a family. Think they have a damper on the 50 hp to calm the steering down a bit. This is also a less well know Ceasar Thundercat. Worth a thought and bet thats put the cat amongst the pidgeons

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F150514

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/LSD091

Pete

Thanks Pete. Looks exhilarating - and if you look carefully at the pics, one of them is tiller steering a 50hp!! - but I think one of these would scare the proverbial out of the wife and kids.

Mmmmm...on second thoughts....

Trickdog · 11 January 2008, 12:15

Lordy

You mentioned that you are about to buy a 4.3m SIB. I came across this yesterday:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW430-QUICKSI...QQcmdZViewItem

I know the Quicksilver boats are very well made and, if the picture is correct, that's a 30hp Yamaha 2 stroke. I have the same motor on my 4.3m SIB and it is excellent.

Just thought it might be of interest!

Nick Hearne · 11 January 2008, 12:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trickdog

Lordy

You mentioned that you are about to buy a 4.3m SIB. I came across this yesterday:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW430-QUICKSI...QQcmdZViewItem

I know the Quicksilver boats are very well made and, if the picture is correct, that's a 30hp Yamaha 2 stroke. I have the same motor on my 4.3m SIB and it is excellent.

Just thought it might be of interest!

Now I would second that that dose look a very good deal!